Ezekiel Kimosop Supporter

What does Joseph fleeing teach us about temptation? Genesis 39

Genesis 39:11-18 describes Joseph's encounter with Potiphar's wife who sought to draw him into adultery. 

Joseph's compelling faithfulness as a servant in his master's house is recorded in Genesis 39:1-10. His master had full trust and confidence in him and had assigned his domestic affairs into Joseph's hands. He had also discerned that God was with Joseph. 

During his temptation by his master's wife, Joseph demonstrated his moral integrity which was founded on his covenant faithfulness with God. He was a man driven by his moral convictions on godly prudence. He was not ready to compromise on his covenant relationship with God even where the exigencies of convenience stood out for him. 

Joseph's statement in Genesis 39:9 affirms his unwavering moral standing. His rhetorical question is unparalleled. Her candidly responded to his master's wife, saying: "There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (NKJV). 

Joseph was resolute that he would not fall for the woman's seduction. He was compelled to flee from his master's wife when she attempted to physically draw him into sexual sin. The woman later lied to her husband that Joseph had attempted to rape her! Joseph was thrown into an Egyptian dungeon for a crime that he had not committed. God however stood with Joseph through his suffering and vindicated him in end. By God's grace, Joseph was finally released from prison and rose to become the highest ranked officer in Pharaoh's court. 

Joseph's encounter with Potiphar's wife teaches us a number of moral lessons on Christian worldview. 

First, we learn that a believer should stand by the convictions of God's word at all times. We should never give room to compromise. The Bible exhorts us to flee from every appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22). 

Secondly, we learn that Satan is always seeking the downfall of God's covenant people. He can even use people close to us to tempt us into disobedience. We should therefore stay alert at all times so that we do not fall into the hands of Satan and his agents. Scripture proclaims in 1 Peter 5:8 that our adversary walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. This calls for diligence and fortitude among God's people in their daily walk of life. 

Thirdly, we discover that no matter what number of false accusations are filed against us, God will vindicate us in the end. Joseph suffered the humiliation of a life in the dungeon but his fellowship with the God of Israel was preserved. 

Fourthly, we learn that we should not seek vengeance against those who persecute us. There is no record in Scripture that Joseph carried any bitterness against his master. He could perhaps have used his high office to repay Potiphar in kind! In Romans 12:9 God proclaims "Vengeance is mine, I will repay" (NKJV). Leave it to God!

Joseph later demonstrated compelling moral fortitude when he forgave his brothers who had sold him to an Ishmaelite slave Caravan for twenty shekels of silver (Genesis 37:28). His brothers lived in guilt until their father passed away. They feared that Joseph would revenge against them and sought forgiveness from him. In Genesis 50:20, Joseph answered his brothers saying "You meant it for evil; but God meant it for good." 

Finally, we learn that God honors our faithfulness and vindicates us at His appointed time. He vindicated Joseph in the end. He rewards our diligence in His divine ways in this life and in the life to come. He will fulfill His purposes for our loves no matter what circumstances we go through in life.

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Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What does Joseph's fleeing teach us about temptation? Genesis 39

Joseph's flight from Potiphar's wife (Genesis 39) teaches that immediate, decisive action—fleeing rather than fighting—is the wisest response to intense temptation.

It highlights that protecting one's integrity before God takes precedence over convenience, social awkwardness, or physical safety. Joseph's action shows that fleeing is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Lessons from Joseph's experience:

Act Decisively (Don't Negotiate): Joseph did not hesitate, argue, or reason with temptation; he ran immediately. Fleeing means removing oneself entirely from the situation, not lingering near it.

Prioritise Godly Integrity: Joseph refused to sin against God and his master. He recognised that temptation is a choice, not just a feeling, and chose to honour God's standards over fleeting pleasure.

Accountability and Preparation: Joseph avoided being alone with temptation and had his focus on his responsibilities.

Accept Potential Consequences: By running, Joseph risked his reputation and freedom (ending up in prison), but he kept his conscience clear.

Immediate Action: When caught, Joseph left his garment and fled. He was willing to sacrifice possessions to maintain his purity.

"Run like Joseph" implies that for certain temptations, particularly sexual temptation, the best defence is a swift retreat.

Joseph, fleeing from Potiphar's wife in Genesis 39, provides several more profound lessons on handling temptation:

Note the following:

Some Battles are Meant for Escape, Not Negotiation: Joseph's primary lesson is that the wisest way to fight certain temptations—especially those that are intense or sexual—is to remove yourself physically. He did not stay to argue, "witness" to her, or negotiate; he ran.

Fleeing is Wisdom, Not Weakness: Fleeing demonstrates a realistic understanding of the "weakness of the flesh". Joseph recognised that staying in a compromising situation, even to resist it, was a foolish risk.

Decisive and Immediate Action is Required: Joseph did not hesitate or wait for a "polite" way to leave. When she grabbed his cloak, he left the garment in her hand and fled immediately. This highlights that when God provides an "escape route," you must take it instantly without looking back.

Prioritise God's Honour Over Reputation: Joseph was willing to be misunderstood, falsely accused, and even imprisoned rather than sin against God. He famously asked, "How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" (Genesis 39:9), showing that his ultimate loyalty was to his Creator rather than his earthly comfort or reputation.

Proactive Boundaries are Essential: Even before the final confrontation, Joseph attempted to avoid being alone with Potiphar's wife (Genesis 39:10). This teaches the importance of recognising "triggers" and vulnerable times—such as when we are isolated, tired, or successful—and setting boundaries accordingly.

How did Joseph know that his God would consider adultery as an act of "great badness"? The Mosaic Law, which included the clear command "You must not commit adultery," would not be written down for another two hundred years. (Ex. 20:14)

Joseph knew God well enough to perceive how He would feel about immoral conduct. For example, Joseph surely knew that God designed marriage to be between one man and one woman. And he would have heard how God, on two occasions, intervened to protect the honour of his great-grandmother, Sarah, when she was in danger of being violated. Similarly, God intervened to protect Isaac's wife, Rebekah. (Gen. 2:24; 12:14-20; 20:2-7; 26:6-11)

As Joseph reasoned on such matters, he discerned what was right and what was wrong in God's eyes. Because Joseph loved his God, he also loved God's standards of righteousness, and he was determined to uphold them.

If we also know God like Joseph did in our hearts, then, like him, we can also avoid "temptations that steer us away from serving God."

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